A Christchurch man has become the first person to paraglide across Cook Strait.
Matt Stanford completed the 28km crossing from the Marlborough Sounds to Wellington's south coast on Saturday
The paraglider launched himself from a helicopter above Tory Channel and glided across the strait, landing on the beach at Cape Terawhiti. He reached top speeds of 65 kilometres per hour during the 35 minute flight.
Mr Stanford says weather conditions were ideal for crossing which had 13 months in the planning.
